Encryption researchers claim that XRP is independent of Ripple and was created before it, and the two should not be compared.

Encryption researcher SMQKE recently pointed out that the creation of the digital asset XRP predates the cross-border payment company Ripple, headquartered in San Francisco. He posted on the X platform and cited a legal commentary that elaborated on the independence of the two, providing new "evidence" for this long-standing debate.

Legal Commentary Reveals the Essential Differences Between Ripple and XRP

The legal commentary explains that Ripple and XRP are often misused as synonyms, but in fact, the two are completely different entities.

Ripple is described as a private company focused on developing software and solutions such as platforms to facilitate global fund transfers at a lower cost. In contrast, XRP is defined as an independent cryptocurrency designed to operate as a "bridge currency" between various platforms.

The commentary clearly states that although Ripple uses XRP to provide liquidity for banks and financial institutions in its products, the company does not own or control the technology behind XRP. Instead, XRP operates on open-source technology that is not controlled by any single entity, and anyone can use or modify it. This separation is central to the core conclusion of the legal commentary, which emphasizes that XRP operates independently of Ripple, and the two are not interchangeable.

The independence of XRP is emphasized

This comment further distinguishes Ripple's governance from the structure of XRP. Control of Ripple is held by its founders, directors, employees, and investors, while XRP is open to anyone who chooses to use it, with no centralized ownership.

This distinction highlights the broader framework in which XRP operates, governed in a distributed manner, and its access does not depend on the participation of any company. The comment positions Ripple as a company building financial products, while XRP is positioned as an independent digital asset.

Core View: XRP was born before Ripple

By emphasizing the statement in the SMU Science and Technology Law Review, the post by researcher SMQKE highlights a "documented" fact: XRP predates Ripple. This timeline in the commentary is used as evidence that the two should not be regarded as the same entity. This distinction is significant for how XRP's role is discussed in the broader financial and regulatory landscape, as it underscores its independence from corporate entities.

Conclusion

The claim that XRP predates Ripple has reignited discussions about the independence of the XRP asset. Although this viewpoint aims to emphasize XRP's status as a decentralized digital asset, its validity and legal implications still need to be further verified and clarified in the complex and ever-changing world of encryption.